Athletic helmet

ABSTRACT

The athletic helmet is made of a hard, strong material, such as a molded plastic. A snap-in padding corresponding to the forehead and temple areas is attached to the inside of the helmet. This is formed preferably of more than one section, the ends of which padding taper off. Extending rearwardly from the respective ends of the padding is a head suspension of web structure, which affords not only a good fit of the helmet to wearer&#39;&#39;s head but a space between the latter and the shell. At the rear of the helmet and below the level of the head suspension is a detachable web neck protector. Both the head suspension and the neck protector are formed of a chordal web band attached to the shell, and attached to the chordal bands a head and a neck web contacting band respectively. At the top, inside of the helmet is a soft crown piece from which radiate spaced sling straps of the same soft material which are attached to the shell between the latter&#39;&#39;s inside surface and the chordal head band.

United States Patent [72] Inventor MikeC.Holt

c/o Southern Athletic Service Inc., P.0. Box 46, Leesburg, Fla. 3274:; Y211 AppLNo. 796,336 [22] Filed Feb.4, 1969 [4S] Patented Julyfi, 1971[54] ATHLETIC HELMET 4 Clnlrns,4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. 2/3 [51] lnt.C1. A42b 1/08, A42b 3/00 [50] FleldolSearch 2/3l0{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,486,169 12/1969, Rawlings2/3 2,250,275 7/1941 Ridde11...-. 2/3 2,706,294 '4/1955 Sprink1e.... 2/33,241,154 3/1966 Aileo 2/3 3,292,180 12/1966 Marietta 2/3 3,447,1626/1969 Aileo 2/3 1 FOREIGN PATENTS v 487,643 6/1938 GreatBritain 2/3787,583 12/1957 GreatBritain 1,497,695 9/1967 France PrimaryExaminrJordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-George V. Larkin At10rneyPaulD. Boone ABSTRACT: The athletic helmet is made of a hard, strongmaterial, such as a molded plastic. A snap-in padding corresponding tothe forehead and'temple areas is attached to the inside of the helmet.This is formed preferably of more than one section, the ends of whichpadding taper off. Extending rearwardly from the respective ends of thepadding is a head suspension of web structure, which affords not only agood fit of thehelmet to wearers head but a space between the latter andthe shell. At the rear of the helmet and below the level of the headsuspension is ,a detachable web neck protector. Both the head suspensionand the neck protector are formed of a chordal web band attached to theshell, and attached to the chordal bands a head and a neck webcontacting band respectively. At the top, inside of the helmet is a softcrown piece from which radiate spaced sling straps of the same softmaterial which are attached to ,the shell between the latters insidesurface and the chordal head band.

PATENTED JUL 6 mm SHEET 1 BF 2 FIG. 2.

INVENTOR Mike C. Holf ATTORN I W PATENTEU JUL 6 IEWI 3; 590,388

sum 2 or 2 I INVENTOR Mike C. HOlf ATTORNEY ATHLETIC-HELMET Thisinvention relates to protective helmets, particularly for footballplayers. These helmets are characterized by a detachable, snap-inpadding for the forehead and temple areas of the players; and extendingto the rear from the respective ends of said padding is a pliable headsuspension; and at the back of the helmet below the latter is adetachable, pliable neck protector. This combination just epitomizedwill protect the wearer-player to a greater extent than any helmet knownto the applicant.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a head protector orhelmet, the shell of which is of the rigid type, such as molded plastic,having snap-in cushioning padding positioned inside the shellcorresponding to the front and temple areas of the player, having a headsuspension that is somewhat elastic and having a neck band that issomewhat elastic also,.

such as of web structure; the head suspension provides lateral spacingof the wearer's head from the shell of the helmet where the aforesaidcushioning pads do not extend, and affords protection.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide arigid type helmet, the shell of which is formed from molded plastic thathas the combination of a detachable, or snap-on padded front, whichprotects the forehead and the two temple areas of the player, with asomewhat elastic head suspension or cradle that provides him a properfit and maintains his head in that area a lateral distance from theshell, and with a somewhat elastic neck band; the latter two recitedelements are preferably web structure. The neck band securely holds thehelmet to the wearer's 'head. As to the snap-in padded front thatcharacterizes this invention, because of the full, ample protection thatthis affords the forehead and temple areas of the head, this result cannot be achieved with a full web, suspension helmet. Also because of theweb head suspension and the web neck band, this type of fitting of thewearers head in the helmet can not be secured with a fully paddedhelmet.

. A great advantage of the snap-in padding in the front and temple areasof an athletic helmet that characterizes the present invention is thatthe same helmet can be custom fitted to the head of the wearer byvarious thicknesses of padding, which is available. The neck band,whereas not as readily removed as the snap-in padding, can be replacedand can vary in length to custom fit the player, having a thick to thinneck.

Whereas the aforesaid web neck band affords the wearer a proper fitwhich per se is important, it also, because of its cushioning nature andkeeping the wearers head away from the shell under all conditions, has aprotective role as well.

Although the combination of detachable snap-in padding in the front andtemple areas, with a web head suspension to the rear of the ends of theaforesaid snap-in protecting means, and a web neck suspension at therear of the shell, below the head suspension of the helmet, each ofwhich is affixed to the interior of the shell, are the featurescharacterizing the present invention, this is not to be construed asmeaning that other features assisting in the protection of thewearer-player cannot supplement these to make the protection of thewearers head more complete. One such auxiliary protective means is shownin the drawing of this invention, and is the combination of a pluralityof radiating bands of soft, resilient material to absorb a shock, whichmaterial is closed cell vinyl, extending from the top-center of thehelmet to the spaced points on the shell of the helmet at the locus ofthe padded snap-in pads and the web suspension or cradle, thus to spacedpoints in one plane; this protection is further supplemented by a centerpiece of the same material both on top and below the center area of theradiating bands just mentioned.

For a further understanding of this invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of afootball helmet in such position as to display a portion of the internalstructure, by

means of which said helmet is mounted on the head of the player.

FIG. 2 is a side view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse view of the helmet.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the detachable, snap-in pad for thefront or forehead and the temple areas.

For the purpose of illustrating the present invention, the drawing showsthe protective helmet for a football player. The outer shell is made ofa suitable, solidified plastic material, such as vinyl resin, orcellulose acetate, or analogous functioning solid hard, molded plastics;this invention is not tied to any particular composition from which theshell is made. The shell is shaped to conform generally to the head ofthe wearer, and is of such size that the shell per se will be spaced alateral distance from the head of the wearer.

In the form shown in FIG. 1, the football helrnets shell is providedwith a detachable padding for the front 2, which protects the foreheadand the temple portion on each side of the wearer's head. From FIGS. 2and 4 it will be perceived that, this particular front pad is composedof three joined sections or units, the two end sections or unitstapering off in thickness; that is important from the standpoint ofcomfort to the wearer. From FIGS. 2 and 4 it will be observed that theentire sections removably attached and detached; the front section ofthis pad is attached by two fasteners 3 to a plastic band 4 that extendscontiguous the inner surface of the shell about one-fourth thecircumference of the shell near its edge 5. These fasteners, as

well as the other fasteners to be mentioned shortly, are composed of amale portion and a coacting female portion. As to the front section ofthe pad the male portion is attached to and through the plastic band, inturn fastened to the shell, and the female portion to the front surfaceof the pad. The front pad is joined at 6, on each end thereof to a sidesection of the pad 7. Each side section of the pad is fastened by afastener of the type mentioned supra, the male portion of which isaffixed to the head suspension s chordal band 8, concerning which morewill be recited later in this presentation.

The padding which protects the forehead of the player and also theforward sides of his head, as mentioned previously, is the snap-in type,affording quick removal and replacement thereof. Because of this snap-intype connection of the pads with the shell of the helmet, the helmet canbe custom fitted to the wearers head by installing padding of variousthicknesses that are available. Although the embodiment shown in thisdrawing has three joined units or sections, more or less than threecould be used, provided the contact surface with the wearer is smooth.Preferably a plurality of units or sections exceeding two are employedin order to achieve smoothness. The angle at the edge of each joint oneach unit should be such, as shown in the drawing, to avoid folds orbulging; that is important.

This detachable front suspension 2 has as a role the alleviation ofabrasion or skinning of the forehead of the wearer, and also theprotection of the nose of the wearer in the event the helmet is rolledforward due to impact; this happens quite often in football games. Ofcourse, it also protects the wearer from the shock of impact on thatportion of the football helmet.

The snap-in, detachable front suspension pad is preferably made ofclosed cell vinyl to absorb the blow and is covered with a coated fabricsold under the brand name DOE- LON/ODM 6841 (marketer is Uniroyal, Inc.,of Stoughton, Wisconsin), to give a smooth surface against the foreheadand front sides of the wearers head.

The web head suspension or cradie is composed of two bands, one ofwhich, namely the chordal web band 8, has been mentioned previously. Theother band of the head suspension or cradle combination is thecontacting head band, also of web structure, 9. This structure provideslateral spacing of the shell from the wearers head in that portion ofthe shell lying between the two ends of the snap-in end pad, as seenfrom FIGS. 2 and 3. The web head band that contacts the player's head iscarried by chordal suspension web band 8 in the manner shown in FIG. 2.The chordal suspension strap or band is shown fixedly fastened to theshell by rivets 10, which also fasten the lower ends of crownsuspension, sling straps or bands 11 to the shell. As also shown in thedrawing the opened ends of the rivets are protected from any contact perse with the wearer not only by the web, head band but also by a onepiece resilient cover 12. The chordal suspension strap 8, is stretchedtaut in chordal relation to those areas of the shell that are bridged byit; this web strap or band has its medial portions secured to the headcontacting web band 9 by double rows of stitches at points denoted bythe numeral 13. As seen from FIG. 2 the chordal suspension web strap orband assumes, because of this spaced manner of anchoring, a polysidedform, and the head contacting band 9 has the configuration approximatelyof an ellipse, which is the configuration of most heads. The chordalsuspension band or strap of the web structure is affixed at the two endsby a rivet 14 that likewise secures the front plastic band to the shellof the helmet.

Reference has previously been made to the crown sling straps 11, havingtheir lower ends fastened to the shell of the helmet by rivets 10 thatlikewise anchor chordal suspension band 8. These crown sling straps aremade of a soft, closed cell vinyl to absorb the shock from impacts, moreparticularly on the top or in the upper region of the shell. These crownstraps or bands radiate from central portion 14, analogous to spokesfrom the hub in a wheel; the central portion is of the same material asthe crown sling straps. in the very top and center of this centralportion 14 is a hole 15. Through this hole projects a dual cushioningmember; the lower section or portion ofit is circular in design and isofa diameter about twice that of the upper section 17; this dualcushioning member is soft and has cushioning characteristics.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing and as to be seen from FIGS. 1and 3, the helmet's shell is provided with cheek extensions 18, one oneach side. They are each provided with protective pads 19 for the cheekand ear areas of the face; these pads are of sponge rubber, covered bysoft leather to prevent chafing of the cheeks and ears.

Positioned below the web, head suspension or cradle bands 8 and 9,referred to previously, and in the rear portion of the helmet, is a neckprotector 20; it is fastened in the neck portion of the helmet. As seenfrom HO. 3 of the drawing, it extends horizontally between the rearportions of the protective pads 19, just mentioned, but slightly abovethe tips thereof. The neck protector is formed of the web chordal strap21 that spans inwardly the areas mentioned between the ear pads, and aweb neck contacting strap 22, having a curvature; the midportion thereofto contact the players neck. The chordal web strap is fastened by ascrew 23 to the base midpoint of the shell. This screw is protected fromcontacting the wearer by a one piece resilient cover 24, as protects theends of other screws and several rivets. The neck contacting strap 22 isfirmly stitched to the chordal neck strap by stitches of two rows oneach side at points 25. Both the web neck contacting strap and thechordal web strap are fastened at their respective ends by a screw 23 tothe shell. Each screw is protected by a one piece resilient member 24.The neck protector is replaceable, and it can be varied in length tocustom fit the players of thick to thin necks.

This invention may be further developed within the scope of thefollowing claims. Accordingly the above specification is to beinterpreted as illustrative of only a single embodiment of thisinvention, rather than in a strictly limited sense.

l claim:

1. An athletic helmet for protecting the head of a wearer, comprising ahard stiff shell, a readily detachable snap-in pad of a soft materialhaving a smooth exterior surface, affixed to a horizontal band securedto the interior surface of the shell, said pad extending over both theforehead and the temple areas and whose two ends are tapered outwardly,a head suspension comprising a pliable web chordal band and an outer webhead-contacting band extendin rearwardl from the end areas of theaforesaid snap-in pa the said c ordal web band secured the shell atspaced intervals and the outer web head-contacting band affixed to thisband at approximately medial points thereof to give the head-contactingband approximately elliptical configuration, a neck protector consistingof two web bands positioned horizontally below the aforesaid web headsuspension in the rear of the helmet, the said neck protector consistingof a chordal web band attached at spaced intervals to the interior ofthe shell, and a neck contacting web band affixed at spaced intervals ofthe last-named chordal band to give a curved configuration.

2. An athletic helmet as set out in claim 1, wherein at the interior topof the shell there is a crown piece of soft, closed cell plastic fromwhich radiate a plurality of spaced sling straps of the same material,whose lower ends are fastened underneath the web suspension band to theshell.

3. An athletic helmet for protecting the head of a wearer, comprising ahard stiff shell, a readily detachable snap-in pad of soft materialformed of a plurality of sections, the ends of the pad taperingoutwardly, which pad has a smooth exterior surface, said pad beingaffixed to a horizontal band that is secured to the inside surface ofthe shell, said pad extending over the forehead and temple areas, a headsuspension comprising a pliable web chordal band and an outer webheadcontacting band, extending rearwardly from the end areas of theaforesaid snap-in pad, the chordal web band secured to the shell spacedintervals and the outer web head-contacting band affixed to this band atapproximately medial points to give the head-contacting band anapproximately elliptical configuration, a neck protector consisting oftwo web bands positioned horizontally below the aforesaid web headsuspension and in the rear of the helmet, the said neck protectorconsisting of a chordal web band attached at spaced intervals to theinterior of the shell, and a neck-contacting web band affixed at spacedpoints of the last-named chordal band to give a curved configuration.

4. An athletic helmet as set out in claim 3, wherein at the interior topof the shell there is a crown piece of soft, closed cell plastic fromwhich radiate plurality of spaced sling straps of the same material,whose lower ends are fastened underneath the web chordal suspension bandto the shell.

1. An athletic helmet for protecting the head of a wearer, comprising ahard stiff shell, a readily detachable snap-in pad of a soft materialhaving a smooth exterior surface, affixed to a horizontal band securedto the interior surface of the shell, said pad extending over both theforehead and the temple areas and whose two ends are tapered outwardly,a head suspension comprising a pliable web chordal band and an outer webheadcontacting band extending rearwardly from the end areas of theaforesaid snap-in pad, the said chordal web band secured the shell atspaced intervals and the outer web head-contacting band affixed to thisband at approximately medial points thereof to give the head-contactingband approximately elliptical configuration, a neck protector consistingof two web bands positioned horizontally below the aforesaid web headsuspension in the rear of the helmet, the said neck protector consistingof a chordal web band attached at spaced intervals to the interior ofthe shell, and a neck contacting web band affixed at spaced intervals ofthe last-named chordal band to give a curved configuration.
 2. Anathletic helmet as set out in claim 1, wherein at the interior top ofthe shell there is a crown piece of soft, closed cell plastic from whichradiate a plurality of spaced sling straps of the same material, whoselower ends are fastened underneath the web suspension band to the shell.3. An athletic helmet for protecting the head of a wearer, comprising ahard stiff shell, a readily detachable snap-in pad of soft materialformed of a plurality of sections, the ends of the pad taperingoutwardly, which pad has a smooth exterior surface, said pad beingaffixed to a horizontal band that is secured to the inside surface ofthe shell, said pad extending over the forehead and temple areas, a headsuspension comprising a pliable web chordal band and an outer webhead-contacting band, extending rearwardly from the end areas of theaforesaid snap-in pad, the chordal web band secured to the shell spacedintervals and the outer web head-contacting band affixed to this band atapproximately medial points to give the head-contacting band anapproximately elliptical configuration, a neck protector consisting oftwo web bands positioned horizontally below the aforesaid web headsuspension and in the rear of the helmet, the said neck protectorconsisting of a chordal web band attached at spaced intervals to theinterior of the shell, and a neck-contacting web band affixed at spacedpoints of the last-named chordal band to give a curved configuration. 4.An athletic helmet as set out in claim 3, wherein at the interior top ofthe shell there is a crown piece of soft, closed cell plastic from whichradiate plurality of spaced sling straps of the same material, whoselower ends are fastened underneath the web chordal suspension band tothe shell.